Overnight sketch: 14 nights, including:

Trip overview:

Vietnam is well-know as the land of Unesco Heritage Sites. The Vietnam Throughout itinerary will allow you to explore this country by passing through cultural, historical sites, stunning landscape and peaceful countryside:

Hanoi capital where ancient and modern perspectives meet

Sapa with diverse culture and beauty of local hill tribes

Halong Bay, a World Natural Wonder site

Hue, former ancient capital with royal tombs and

Hoi An, a quiet ancient town inherits from Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture

Saigon, food and entertainment paradise

Detailed Travel Plan

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

The capital Hanoi, located in Vietnam’s north, is the second most populous city in the country with approximately 11 million people. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined. Today it is best known for its thriving contemporary arts scene and French architecture, visible by the many colonial villas scattered throughout the city. While it is rapidly developing, the city has retained many of its cultural traditions.

Upon arrival Noi Bai International airport, when you leave the arrival terminal, you will be welcomed by Lambda Vacations guide and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle

The remainder of the day is free at leisure

No meals included.

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 2: HANOI ESSENTIAL STEPS

Hanoi is the charming capital of Vietnam and a city of French’s heritage, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes.

After breakfast, you enjoy a city tour to admire the key highlights of Hanoi city. Start your day at Mausoleum Complex which includes traffic-free area of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas. Within the complex stand Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue your visit to Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, dedicated to Confucius and a typical example of traditional Vietnamese architecture

Taking a 20-minute drive out of town to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers you a vivid picture of the miniaturized Vietnamese ethnic community’s life. There is an extensive collection from simple daily objects of fishing tools to prized items of jewelry. There is also an interesting outdoor area with ethnic long house

Drive back to Hanoi and end the day with a leisurely walking tour around the Old Quarter to witness the bustling local life reflected through small crowded streets where people have been trading things for centuries. Comb through the streets and choose to stop at any stalls specialized in handmade goods or simply enjoy local dishes if you wish.

Breakfast at hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 3: HANOI – A MORNING LIKE HANOIAN – LAO CAI BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN

Meet up with your guide after breakfast, you will be taken to Hanoi Newspaper Office where you will see some people standing outside to read news on the bulletin board, which the locals usually say “standing newspaper”. The “standing newspaper” reflects the poorest time of Hanoians when buying a newspaper used to be too much to afford. Then stop at a local coffee shop for a sip of coffee in Hanoi’s style before heading to Gioi Market, an outdoor market selling thousands of electronics devices and essential supplies, from the smallest such as nails and batteries to large items such as motors, electronic goods and refrigeration equipment. Continue your exploration of Hanoi life with a 10-minute ride on local train from suburb back to downtown, following by a walk passing the first French bridge over the Red River and listen to the story of Red River Delta and Hanoi, keep walking along the railway to see the daily life of locals here. Wind through the busy street which is famous for hundreds of street food stalls. Stop to taste some snacks if you want to. Finally stop at a workshop of “Zo Paper Project” run by a team of dynamic young people who have spent years in contributing in the conservation of this tradition paper

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

After your own dinner at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the railways station to take an overnight train to Laocai

Breakfast at hotel

Overnight on train.

DAY 4: LAO CAI – SAPA – THE COLORS OF HILL TRIBE MARKETS

Arrive in Lao Cai early morning, you will be welcomed by your Lambda Vacations guide at the railways station and transferred to a local restaurant for your breakfast

After breakfast, you will drive over hills to a local hill tribe market passing through stunning landscape of the region

Coc Ly hill tribe market, availably only on every Tuesday. Coc Ly is a small village, situated alongside the Chay River inhabited by the Flower H’mong Minority people. The Flower H’mong traditionally wears a distinctive and bright colored costume. This will be a great chance for you to witness Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Nung, Giay and Tay peoples agthering here to buy and sell their products.

Afterward, you will enjoy a lovely cruise down Chay river passing the peaceful villages, beautiful caves and local life on the river bank, following by a short trekking to Na Nen Village where Flower Hmong.

Lung Khau Nhin hill tribe market, available only on every Thursday. This is a small market with vibrant color of of the dresses, blankets, green cabbage and yellow citrus, where Flower H’mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell home-made products.

After the market, you can choose to enjoy a leisure trekking to local village where you can meet and chat with the local people, pay a visit to pineapple and tea plantation.

Can Cau hill tribe market, available only on every Saturday. Can Cau is a small but very colorful market where you will encounter Chinese people and hill tribe people: Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Phu La and Nung. The key products of Can Cau market are fruits, vegetables, meat, colorful fabrics and traditional dresses.

After the market, you can choose to enjoy a slight trekking tour to Trung Do Village where you will have an opportunity to visit a traditional Tay House and explore the local daily life.

Muong Khuong hill tribe market, available only on every Sunday. Muong Khuong is located 50 km from Laocai. This is a biggest hill tribe market where different ethnic groups gather once a week to buy and sell many products such as handicraft, cattle, vegetable, traditional incense and local products… This market attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Flower Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay who still retain their age-old cultural traditions and distinct costumes.

After the market, you will visit a lovely village of Tay people to observe their daily life

Bac Ha hill tribe market, available only on every Sunday. Bac Ha is a remote district of Lao Cai province. It is not simply a place for buy and sell but also an opportunity for hill tribe people (Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung) to come and meet, for women to demonstrate their beautiful handmade traditional costumes and even for young people to find their dates. Visit the Trung Do village and then enjoy a short local boat journey down the Chay River for some stunning scenery

Drive to Sapa town and overnight here.

Breakfast at local restaurant

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 5: SAPA – TREK TO THE VILLAGE LIFE AND RICE PADDY FIELDS

Located in a remote northwest mountains along the border with China, Sapa is consider as the home of many hill tribe ethnic minorities call Sapa home, such as the Black Hmong, Red Dzao, Tay, Giay , Thai and Phu La. The region is famous for its stunning scenery, cultural diversity, the colorful dresses of the local hill tribe ethnic minorities

After breakfast, you will get prepared for a half day trekking to Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai. You will trek through the terraced fields and minorities villages of Black H’Mong, Tay, Xa Pho. Opportunity to see different traditions and costumes of the Zay minority at Ta Van village and Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai village

Transfer back to your hotel, the rest of the day is free at own leisure

Breakfast at hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 6: SAPA – HANOI – TU PHU SHOW

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Hanoi by your private vehicle. You can choose to stop en route to enjoy the beautiful landscape and take the photo

Check-into your hotel on arrival

Early evening transfer to a public theatre for a special performance of Tu Phu (Four Places). It’s a beautiful journey into a spiritual world, a unique ritual performance of Vietnam, highlighting the spiritual traditions of Vietnamese culture in general and “Len dong” – a spirit mediumship practice in Northern Vietnam religion in specific.

Breakfast at hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 7: HANOI - HA LONG BAY – LIMESTONES KARTS AND TURQUOISE WATER

Halong Bay, is famous for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site is outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest

After breakfast, you will spend 3.5 hours on your private vehicle to Halong Bay. On arrival, register and enjoy welcome drink on board. Start cruising through the bay. Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, Coconut Three Island. Then visiting Luon cave, and stop at Ti Top beach for swimming (if the weather permits). Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor overnight

Breakfast at hotel, Lunch and Dinner on board

Overnight on Halong cruise.

DAY 8: HANOI - HUE BY FLIGHT - “FORMER ROYAL KINGDOM”

Wake up early and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the sunrise. Visit Sung Sot grotto where stalactites hanging from the high ceiling takes on numerous shapes and forms. having brunch while cruising back to Tuan Chau Wharf. Arrive at the jetty late morning and transfer back to Hanoi airport where you will take the flight to Hue

Upon arrival Hue airport, when you leave the arrival terminal, you will be welcomed by Lambda Vacation guide and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle

Brunch on board

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 9: HUE - AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE WITH ROYAL LIFE

Hue is the ancient capital of Imperial Vietnam, where the Nguyen Lords based their government during their reign over Vietnam between the 17th and 19th century

After breakfast, you will start from your hotel to Imperial Citadel Complex, which has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its thick stones are certainly solid, towering above a moat fed by the Perfume River.

Then, you continue your journey to Tu Duc Royal Tomb built on principles of Feng-Shui and designed to work in harmony with charming natural scenery. It is a masterpiece poem, a charming picture of the peace in the overall transcendent architecture of tomb construction art during Nguyen Dynasty.

Hue’s garden houses, which harmoniously blend the human architecture with the randomness of nature, are a unique expression of the cultural values of Vietnam’s former imperial city. Some are the descendants of royalty or mandarins; others received patronage from the royal family.

This afternoon, you will drive to An Hien Garden house which is the most typical house remaining its original and standards of a Garden House in Hue. Massive pillars support a large tiled roof with the family altar in the middle. A large rectangular lily-pond separates a screen, designed to keep evil spirits out of the house.

Then head to Tha Om Garden House set in charming gardens, complete with lotus ponds and pavilions. Built in 19th century, the former royal house situates on high foundations with low, dipping roofs.

The last stop is at Ngoc Son Princess’s Garden House. Princess Ngoc Son was a daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh – when she married, her father granted her the land to build a home. Enjoy a chat with the present owner, Phan Thuan An, who is a direct descendant of the Imperial Court and a history scholar, professor, author of the seminal book on history and culture of Hue. Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and listen to the story of his artifacts collected over many years that document and preserve his family history.

Breakfast at your hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 10: HUE – HOI AN – THE STORY OF ANCIENT TOWN

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Hoian passing stunning Hai Van Pass.

Hoi An ancient town is a World Cultural Heritage boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets and unique food culture. Hoi An was a prosperous trading port between 17th and 19th centuries, with most population were Chinese and Japanese, explaining why the main architecture of the town inherited Chinese and Japanese style. Take a walk around the town and stop at some ancient houses including the old merchant’s houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings.

Check-into your hotel on arrival

The remainder of the day is free at leisure to explore the town on your own

Breakfast at your hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 11: HOI AN - FROM TOWN TO COUNTRYSIDE

Cam Thanh village is known for dense water coconut jungles and immense rice fields. During the Vietnam war, Cam Thanh was a shelter for local people and soldiers. Nowadays, this village is the main supplier of seafood, vegetables and rice for the area. Today experience an organic discovery tour with the local farmers in this rural outskirts of Hoi An ancient town. Transfer to the picturesque Co Co river for a bamboo basket-boat ride to Thanh Dong village which is the first and only organic farm in Hoi An, meet local farmers who will introduce you about the organic farm then change into farmer’s clothes and experience daily activities of the farmers through activities on the farm, learn more about the methods of chemical-free farming and its positive effects on the environment. Enjoy cassava and green tea after the activities before transferring back your hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 12: DANANG – SAIGON – THE IRON LAND OF CU CHI TUNNELS

This morning transfer to Danang airport to take the flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your Lambda Vacations guide and then head to Cu Chi tunnels. The complex was hand-dig by Viet Cong during Vietnam War and used as a secret living area to protect them from the French air and ground sweeps. Much of the original tunnel system was destroyed in bombing raids during the 1970s but existing parts have been restored and opened as a poignant and fascinating reminder. A visit to this underground village will provide you better understanding of the harsh life people went through during the bloody war. After tunnel tour, drive to visit a local cricket farm afterwards, get to know how people raise crickets and scorpions, enjoy some specialties such as deep fried crickets, cricket salad, etc. Drive back to Saigon.

Breakfast at your hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 13: SAIGON - GOOD MORNING SAIGON ON VINTAGE VESPA

Saigon – a sleepless young city with over eight million inhabitants – is an important commercial center of Vietnam. The modern Saigon still retains its splendid moment with the historic landmarks.

One of the best ways to experience a real Saigon life is to start your day in the same way as local people do. The vespa team will come to pick you up at hotel in the early morning, and give you a fantastic ride on vintage vespa around the town to show you interesting things that differentiate Saigon to others cities of Vietnam. We will join the hustling traffic, wander through the backstreets, enjoy breakfast and coffee in local style at one of the oldest stalls in Saigon. We will also stroll through some lively outdoor street markets where you will meet the friendly street vendors and listen to their own stories about making a living in this modern city. If time permits stop at some shoes stalls inside the market where people can make wooden clog for you in just few minutes (the clog shops are opened from 10:00 AM only, own expense).

After breakfast, pay a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral built in the late 1880s by French colonists. The church was constructed from imported red bricks with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris (only observe from outside when there is no service performed). Then walk across the square to the Central Post Office designed by the famous French architect, Gustave Eiffel. Opportunity to meet the 70-year-old man who has spent half of his life helping people to write letter (subject to his availability due to his health condition). Drive or take a 15-minute walk through the busy streets to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war.

Lunch is at your own choice, you can choose to have lunch at a hidden restaurant located in an old charming apartment, or refresh at a modern restaurant on the busy streets of Saigon. (own expenses).

After lunch, free at own leisure.

Breakfast at your hotel

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 14: SAIGON – BEN TRE – LAND OF COCONUT TREES

Depart Saigon and drive south to Ben Tre province. Situated in the Delta of Mekong River, Ben Tre is famous for its tropical fruit gardens and traditional handicrafts made of coconuts. Visit an old brick kiln, coconut workshop, small family-run mat workshop, talk with the local to learn the traditional techniques they have been using for hundred years.

Afterward, get on tuk-tuk (or hop on a local bicycle) and ride of 3 km to travel along the narrow shady village roads to admire the tranquility of the Mekong villages. Stop at a farmer’s house to enjoy tropical fruits grown in the garden. Continue to a simple local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, have a short break before getting on sampan for rowing through the idyllic water palm creek. Change to motorized boat for cruising back to Hung Vuong pier, following by transfer back to Saigon.

Breakfast at your hotel and Lunch at a local restaurant

Overnight in your selected hotel.

DAY 15: SAIGON DEPARTURE

This day, you will be transferred to the airport to take your departure flight home.

Breakfast at your hotel

End of Services!

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Accommodation as specified in the itinerary, including daily breakfast, tax and service charge